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Sick Bird! Suggestions from other poultry keepers wanted!

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by Raven625, Dec 7, 2015.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Dec 7, 2015 #1
    Raven625

    Raven625 Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 9, 2015
    Surprise, NY
    I have a Black Copper Marans pullet that I purchased as a 10 week old. She began laying 3 months ago and is currently 9 months old. She laid about 4-5 eggs a week before discontinuing production 2.5 weeks ago. We are located in the Northeast, it's been 40-50 by day and 25-34 at night. Just a bit of history...

    Yesterday she was found roosting in the nest box, which is abnormal for her. I removed her and placed her on the roost, and noticed she was a bit lighter then usual and she kept her feet tucked as I moved her.
    Today she briefly came out of the coop, when I came back 4 hours later from work she was back in the nest box and remained there all afternoon.
    She's lethargic, but picked some of the sunflower seeds that I tried enticing her with. Is seemingly off her normal feed completely, is a bit wobbly to stand, a tiny bit wobbly in her head/neck and does not stand completely when walking, she will walk very little- but has managed getting up into the nest box twice. She's not rocking back on her hocks or ruffling her feathers like a typical sick bird. Clear eyes, clear nose, no breathing issues or coughing, shiney feathers, the loss in weight isn't much, clear vent. Poop had a clear liquid mucus, some green particles, and little bit of tannish color, and not much of it.
    I've offered vitamin/electrolyte/probiotic mix water that I syringe every two hours, shelled unsalted sunflower seed with her normal feed, I've made her a mash of it also. She's caged alone now.
    My other birds are well so far.
    Only change has been their feed, it went from 18% starter/grower to 21% chick starter/grower (I have a mixed age flock) and it's a different brand, both organic no medications etc. I mixed the two together. Always a hopper of oyster shell and a hopper of granite. Not much has been given for scraps in the last couple weeks, they are free range with free choice feed/water.

    Suggestions anyone??!!
    Thanks in advance!!!
     
  3. Dec 7, 2015 #2
    Free Spirit

    Free Spirit The Chiarian

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    Oct 21, 2015
    NWA
    Sounds like similar symptoms of one of my geese a few months ago. I never found out what was wrong but she did get well with a lot of TLC and meds.
    Great, you did isolate her from the rest of the flock. Make sure she is placed in a warm area about 85 degrees. You can continue with the vitamin/electrolyte/probiotic until you begin any treatments. But you will need to start somewhere so...

    Here's what I did:
    First I checked to make sure she was not egg bound
    Next I ran a flush in case it could have been a toxicity https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal
    Then I started a treatment of Corid for possible coccidiosis and Safeguard wormer for possible worms

    Meanwhile I had to get a weight on her and found her to be losing weight. Since she was not eating it was necessary to begin tube feeding to keep her weight up and give her some nutrition. I was about to start antibiotics but she started to make a recovery so I ended up not needing to. Then I kept her confined for a few more days for a better recovery before letting her back out with the rest of the flock. My entire ordeal lasted almost 2-1/2 weeks.

    If she is losing weight you may need to begin to tube feed her.
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1064392/step-by-step-tube-feeding-guide-pictures

    If you want to learn how then you may want to contact @casportpony .
     
  5. Dec 7, 2015 #3
    Raven625

    Raven625 Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 9, 2015
    Surprise, NY
    Thank you! I'm paranoid she has something that my other birds will end up with!!

    The poop has now become solid green and with white caps, very loose also.
     

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